Phil Mickelson US Open withdrawal confirmed

Phil Mickelson withdrew from the US Open on Thursday, opting to skip the tournament to attend his daughter's graduation ceremony, organisers said.

Mickelson had been granted a tee time by US Open organisers on the off-chance that any delay in play may allow him time to fly from California to Erin Hills, Wisconsin for the start of the first round.

But with play at the 117th US Open getting under way Thursday under bright sunshine and clear skies, Mickelson's hopes of playing evaporated.

It means the 46-year-old will have to wait another year before he can attempt to end his US Open jinx.

The US Open is the only title missing from Mickelson's collection of five majors. He has posted six second place finishes at the tournament in 26 attempts since 1990.

Mickelson's place will be taken by Mexico's Roberto Diaz, who was the first alternate to emerge from sectional qualifying at Summit, New Jersey.